Parents of students attending Springfield Local School District will see slightly higher meal prices headed into the 2024-25 school year.
At the June 12 meeting, Superintendent Matt Geha said Jamie Filipiak, director of food service, utilized an Ohio Department of Education tool to determine meal costs.
“This is not an arbitrary jump in costs,” the superintendent said. This past school year, meals were $3.25 for elementary students and $3.50 for students at the middle school and high school.
That will change this fall to $3.50 and $3.75 respectively, he said. In addition, students who qualify for free or reduced lunches will not be charged for meals. “It is free for both,” he explained.
Treasurer’s Report
Several financial matters were addressed by the school board.
They approved temporary appropriations of $25.83 million for 2024-25.
The board also approved the 2025 membership in the Northwest Ohio Computer Association for $94,519.
Three insurance policies were renewed for the upcoming school year. They are:
•Property, fleet, liability and excess crime insurance with the Ohio School Plan for $174,960. The cost represents a $14,000 increase from the previous year in large part due to higher property values, treasurer Ryan Lockwood explained.
•Cyber crime and liability insurance with Tokio Marine HCC for $13,408. This represents a savings of $7,000 over last year and the treasurer attributes the reduced cost to steps the district has taken to thwart fraud.
•Pollution insurance with Ironshore Inc. for $1,101. The policy covers items such as diesel tank leaks, bus accidents and science class issues, the treasurer explained.
At Lockwood’s request, the board approved a fiveyear agreement with Bonefish Systems for accounts payable/fraud monitoring software at an annual cost of $3,822.
Personnel
The school board acted on a number of personnel changes.
They approved a change in position for Dawn Grant, from SMS 6.75 hours food service to SHS 8 hours food service manager, effective July 1.
The school board also accepted the retirements of Deborah Sleesman, Holland Intermediate night custodian, effective September 1, and Kelly Haskins, Crissey Elementary classroom aide, June 1.
Three employees resigned. They are Christy Avalos, SHS English, effective June 7; Ashely Zeiler, SMS Title I, effective immediately, and Leah Draper, Crissey autism unit, July 2.
Stipends for 2024-25 were awarded to Barbara Eckhart and Nicole Medjesky, RESA coordinators; Kelly Kahmann, resident educator program coordinator, and Erin White, Phonics First training.
The board approved substitutes contracts for 10 classified personnel. They are Karen Bell, custodian; Pamela Corey, bus driver; Ka’Mia Hobson, bus aide; Sandy McCaleb, food service, bus aide, lunchroom/recess monitor; Cristine Ramey, bus aide; James Schill, school resource officer; Ricky Shoemaker, bus driver, maintenance/ groundskeeping, custodian; Charles Stambaugh, bus aide; Madyson Yackee, custodian; Jehan Younes, secretary, lunchroom/recess monitor.
Supplemental contracts for the 2024-25 school year were approved for Bonita Adams, elective area consultants/ career and technology education; Samantha Bell and Kelly Nottingham, elective area co-consultants/ STEAM, Art; Bradley Kerns, elective area consultants/ physical education, and Jennifer Mercer and Nicole Mohr, elective area co-consultants/ music.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Authorized the superintendent to enter into a wage reopener with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 478 for 2024-25.
The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with OAPSE regarding a change in secretarial hours for the fourday Jump Start program.
•Accepted an anonymous donation of $2,150 to be applied to outstanding senior school fees and lunch balances.
They also accepted $500 from the Ohio Association of School Business Officials/treasurer Lockwood to be used for scholarships.
•Approved student handbooks for the upcoming school year for preschool, elementary and middle school students.
•Approved agreements for federal programs with Green Options for Autism of Lucas County, I am Boundless and New Horizons Academy.
•Employed five students as summer workers for the district.
•Approved five requests to attend professional development days.
•Entered into executive session to discuss safety and security, but took no action afterward.
The next school board meeting is at 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, at the administration building, 6924 Spring Valley Drive, and is open to the public.
